Connector



June 22, 1943. A. D. BLANCHARD 2,322,562

CONNECTOR Filed Oct. 9, 1941 Arfi/wr Blane/lard.

3% WM F1 Patented June22, 1943 CONNECTOR Arthur D. Blanchard, Bloomfield, N. J., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Delaware I Application October 9, 1941, Serial No. 414,356

2 Claims.

This invention relates to couplings, and more particularly to connecting means for tubing.

It is an object of the present invention to pro vide a connector or terminal for tubing, which is readily replaceable and renewable. I

It is a further object of the invention to provide a coupling member for conduit, without the use of solder, welding or heat.

An additional object of the invention lies in the provision of a terminal member for tubing, which may be readily assembled without the use of special tools.

Other objects will appear from a study of the following specification when made in conjunction with the attached drawing, throughout which like numerals designate like parts.

Fig, 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line-2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of another embodiment of the present invention. 7

Having reference particularly to Fig. 1, l represents a flexible, metallic conduit, having spaced parallel corrugations ll, separated by intervening valleys l2. Conduit It! is contained within a sheathing or armour l3 of braided, me-

tallic strands or the like. Conduit l0 terminates in a radially extending flange portion l4, formed by pressing one or more adjacent corrugations ll together. An annular washer l5, formed in two split halves l6 and I1, surrounds conduit ID in the right end valley l8, embracing valley l8 in a loose, but secure fit.

A cylindrical skirt member l9 carries an integral, outwardly projecting annular flange 20 at one end, lying against split washer I5, and is provided, at its other end, with a bead member 2!, as shown in Fig. 1. l

Washer l and flange portion 20 of skirt l9 fit with a sliding frictional fit Within a nut 22, having a smooth bore or internal skirt portion 23, an inwardly projecting flange or shoulder portion 2 1, and internal thread members 25 for connection with any suitable threaded union (not shown). A retaining ring 26, of spring metal, is held in a groove 21 formed in nut 22, closely adjacent split washer l5.

A split screw collar 28 is carried upon skirt l9 about sheathing l3 and has conically extending threads, which engage with a conicallyand internally threaded nut member 29. A depression is formed within collar to accommodate a. pilot pin member 30, which is mounted within aperture 3| in skirt member i9, so that an operatormay tighten the nut 29 upon split collar 28 without causing the latter to turn with the nut 29.

The connector or terminal just described may be assembled by first slipping the conically threaded nut member 29, as well as the cylinsembled within the valley l8, and the nut 22 is next drawn forward over conduit III to the position shown in Fig. 1, and spring retainer 26 is snapped into groove 21 to maintain split washer l5, flange 20 and nut 22 in assembled relation. Pilot pin 30 isinserted into the aperture 3| within skirt member l9, which is provided for receiving the shank of pin 30 with a secure, but detachable, fit. Split screw collar 28 is placed in the position shown, whereupon the conically threaded nut29 is advanced upon the threads of the split collar, until the split collar is drawn tightly upon armour l3. Then, the whole assembly may be threaded into a screw-threaded union or terminal of any suitable type.

The connector above described is readily renewable, and may be re-used in the event that a new conduit i0 is substituted for the original at any time.

Fig. 3 shows a terminal or connector which is somewhat similar, except that the interfitting split collar 28- and conically threaded nut 29, as well as the pilot pin 30, are replaced by a cylindrical deformable band 32, which, upon application to braid i3, is permanently crimped into connection therewith by any suitable means, such as a pliers or a special vise member. The connector is used in exactly the same manner, but differs from that shown in Fig. 1 only in that it is not renewable without destruction of the. crimped band 32.

A form of connector embodying the teaching of the present invention, for use when the conduit lacks an armour or sheathing, is shown in Fig. 4. Split washer l5, formed in two halves (as in Figs. 1 and 3), embraces valley l8 in a loose, but firm fit, in the manner above described. Washer I5 is retained in assembled condition and is confined within nut 23 by means of the spring retaining member-26, which may be snapped into the annular groove 21, formed within nut 22. No other fastening member is needed to retain the connector assembled and ready at any time for connection to a conventional terminal.

Three embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawing, and each represents a means whereby a novel-type of terminal or connector may be provided, obviating the use of welding or any application of heat, giving a gastight or liquid-tight connection with a conventional terminal or connector member. It is to be understood, h0wever,'that the invention is not restricted to the forms shown, but is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A connector comprising a section of conduit having a circumferentially grooved portion, a split washer positioned upon said circumferentially grooved portion, a threaded nut embracing said washer, an inwardly projecting annular flange formed on said nut and a retaining member carried in said nut and confining said split washer therein.

2. A connector comprising a section of conduit having a circumferentially grooved portion, a split washer positioned upon said circumferentially grooved portion, a threaded nut embracing said washer, a cylindrical skirt member having an outwardly projecting annular flange within said nut, an inwardly projecting annular flange carried by said nut, a tubular sheathing member surrounding said conduit, the end of said sheathing member being carried by said skirt member, and means for retaining said sheathing upon said skirt.

- ARTHUR D. BLANCHARD. 

